Calif. ranger files lawsuit for $1M Dorner reward

Rick Heltebrake filed a breach-of-contract suit claiming his call to the sheriff's office directly led to Dorner's hideout

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — A camp ranger whose truck was taken by Christopher Dorner filed a lawsuit Monday for the $1 million reward offered for information leading to the capture of the rogue ex-cop believed to have committed suicide after killing four others during a rampage and manhunt.

Rick Heltebrake filed a breach-of-contract suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court claiming his call to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department after Dorner ordered him and his dog out of the truck and fled on Feb. 12 directly led to Dorner's hideout in a mountain cabin where he engaged deputies in a final shootout.

Related Feature

After a week-long manhunt for the former LAPD officer gone rogue, Chris Dorner's revenge came to a fiery end

Related content sponsored by

Heltebrake "notified law enforcement of Dorner's exact location and whereabouts, provided a description of the vehicle he was fleeing in, and was a substantial factor in the apprehension and capture of Dorner at the cabin location," the lawsuit said.

The suit names as defendants the cities of Los Angeles, Irvine, Riverside and other entities who established the reward.

The LAPD has said three former judges will decide whether anyone can lay claim to the reward and, if so, how it should be distributed.

A couple who called police after Dorner tied them up and fled in their car and others have filed claims.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press

Copyright 2015 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.